The Portland daily press., 1887-09-29
OUR LITE NEIcHBoR.
The Great Fight Still Going on at
Concord,
The Atherton People Trying to Make
the Best of 1t.
A Proposition to Divide What the
Boston & Maine Wants by 3.

CONCORD, N. H., Sept 2S.-In the House
this forenoon twenty-five remonstrances
were presented against the passage of the
bill authorizing the leasing of any railroad
more than 80 years. Three petitions in fa-
vor of the Hazen bill were also presented.
Bills were reported from the committees
fixing the annual salary of the Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court at $500, and of Asso-
ciate Sustices at $500; also the salary of the
Solicitor of Hillsboro' county at $500.
A bill relating to actions for personal in
juries resulting in death, was killed.
Two reports were presented on the matter
of concurrence with the Senate amendments
in the bill to Incorporate the Bsrtlett g. AL
bany railroad. Both were tabled.
A bill came from the committee on revis-
ion OF the laws making it a penal offense to
display obscene prints and pictures.
An invitation was received from the New
Hampshire Woman's Christian Temperance
Union to attend the annual meeting now in
session in Manchester. A vote of thanks
was rendered for the invitation.
Then Down to Business.
The special order was called for IL o'clock,
1t being the consideration of the amend
ments to the Hazen bill, that offered by Mr..
taken up. 1t is as follows:
Amend by striking out Section Z, and inserting
IN place thereof, 'any railaoad within this State
may lease or be leased TO any railroad now oper-
atlng any road within this State, for period not
exceeding 30 years and nothing in this act con.
taned shall be construed as ratifying, or author
izlng the leasing of any railroad for longer term
than 80 years.
ment, disclaimed any hostility to the Boston
d Maine: He was in favor of a general
railroad law so that all railroads could come
into the State and compete for our line, and
ms amendment contemplated just that
Competition" he said, SIS the life of busi-
ness. Pass the Hazen bill in its present
condition, and it would effectually destroy
competition in the southern and central sec
tions of the State. If che Boston & Maine
wants our railroads. it should come and ask
Tor them, and not undertake to get them un-
der the gulse of the Boston & Lowell. The
Maine is an interloper and has no business
in the central section of New Hampshire,
and should be kept where it belongs
Mr.. Stone of Andover, said this amend
ment effectually destroyed the effect Of the
Hazen bill, and he was therefore opposed to
1t. He offered as substitute an amendment
providing that the bill be construed as au-
thorlZlng the Boston d Lowell to lease the
Northern and Boston, Concord & Montreal
Tor term not exceeding 80 years, and that
the Legislature could annul such lease at
the expiration of that time is the public good
required it.
Mr.. Branch of Weirs, said that the adop-
tion Of Mr.. Batchelder's amendment was
favored by the friends of the Atherton bill
Tor the purpose of assassinating the Hazen
Dlil. Its adoption meant the defeat of all
legislation this session and the passing for
ever from the control of the State any equi-
table interest in the surplus of the Concord
railroad. Any man opposing his (Mr
Stone's) substitute would divulge his pur-
pose to prevent the settlement of this con-
troversy at this time. He was not and never
had been retained by any railroad. This
question should be settled on high grounds
OF public policy, and not as any man, or rail-
road wanted it. He hoped Mr.. Stones
amendment would be adopted.
Mr.. Moore of Nashua, presented the fol
lowing which was read by the clerk:
TO the Speaker Of the House of Representatives :
The directors of the Boston, Concord g. Mon
treal Railroad Corporation, in behalf of said cor
p0ratiOn and the stockholders thereof hereby re
spectfully give notice that said railroad corpora
tlon objects TO-, protests against, and dissents
from all legislation or attempts at legislation,
whereby it is proposed. or attempted to authorize,
ratify or In any way affect the rights of said Bos-
ton, Concord d Montreal Railroad Corporation, or
SO called, or any other act of legislature. The
present operation and use of the road is illegal
and wrongful, and any attempt to legalize 1t
would be unconstitutional and unjust, and an in
OF apending suit. We, therefore. hereby give no.
tce that we object thereto protest against it and
dissent theresrOm. We have resolved, further
that copy of the foregoing be furnished to the
Speaker OF the House of Representatives and the
President of the Senate for presentation to the
Legislature.
Atrue copy: Attest; HARRY M. CAvIs,
Clerk, pro tenn.